Mexican Pastor Accused of Child Sexual Abuse Apprehended by Border Agents in California Escape Attempt

In an unsettling turn of events, a former pastor from Mexico, accused of heinous crimes against a minor, was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents after fleeing to Southern California. The arrest highlights the seamless cooperation between international law enforcement agencies in tracking down fugitives.

Identified as Salvador Suazo-Garcia, the former pastor faced charges in Mexico for engaging in lewd and lascivious acts involving a child. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that agents detained him on March 6 in Lemon Grove, a community in Southern California.

Suazo-Garcia initially entered the United States legally in May 2021, under the Biden administration’s visa policies. However, once the allegations emerged, his visa was promptly revoked, underscoring the seriousness of the charges against him.

The arrest was orchestrated by agents from the San Diego Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, who conducted a meticulous investigation and surveillance operation to locate Suazo-Garcia. Their efforts were bolstered by effective cross-border intelligence sharing, which played a crucial role in pinpointing his whereabouts.

When authorities finally caught up with Suazo-Garcia, he was behind the wheel of a truck emblazoned with the logo of an electrical company, a detail reported by Mexican media. This arrest serves as a potent reminder of the vigilance and collaboration required to bring alleged criminals to justice, no matter where they attempt to hide.

He was taken into custody without incident and later handed over to Mexico’s federal Attorney General’s Office.

No further information regarding his alleged sex crimes in Mexico was provided.

In a separate case, agents in Anaheim on Feb. 26 nabbed Silvia Del Rosario Torres-Castro, a Mexican national wanted for homicide.

Authorities tracked her movements before taking her into custody without incident. She was later turned over to Mexican officials. The details surrounding the alleged murder in Mexico were also not provided.

Torres-Castro entered the US illegally in 2023 through the Imperial Beach area, DHS said.

Officials said both fugitives had been on the run in the US and were finally tracked down through targeted surveillance by Border Patrol agents.

DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the arrests highlight how some migrants labeled “non-criminal” in the US can still be wanted for serious crimes abroad.

“Now, thanks to our law enforcement, these two criminal illegals are back in Mexico to face justice for their crimes,” Bis said.

“These dangerous criminal illegal aliens were allowed to roam American streets and make our communities less safe,” she added.

Nearly 70% of illegal immigrants arrested by ICE nationwide have criminal convictions or pending charges in the US, according to DHS.

“This statistic doesn’t even account for those wanted for violent crimes in their home country or another country, human rights abusers, gang members, and terrorists,” Bis said.

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